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Monday, June 24, 2013

Summatime, Summatime, Sum-Sum-Summatime

After a full weekend o' fun, here we are with our first true day of summer vacation upon us. Quite awhile ago, I deemed today to be a lazy day -- the only goal is to schlep Hadley over to our local farmers' market, weather permitting. That's. It. Hang out in bed watching Daniel Tiger? Take super long naps if Hadley wants? (Mama included.) Get zero work done around the house? We'll see if I actually allow it to be a lazy day or not. Only time will tell! Friday, I posted this run-down of my summer plans --

Isn't she purdy? I'm back with an explanation to the fun. 'Cuz, y'know... I'm like that. Oh, and the more I think about it, there are about half a dozen extras to throw on there, but I'll leave it with the original 19 for now. The longer the list, the more pressure (read: less fun!) you've got. So, here we go! (Those not listed are kind of self-explanatory.)

1. I've already started some of this. I got home Friday and went about in a whirlwind (until I sucked a sock up the vacuum's tube. Way to stop a girl in her tracks, damn dust bunny sock!!) Storing clothes that don't fit the baby or myself (and starting a bag to donate), cutting back on the number of bottles we have that aren't being used...stuff like that. A big goal is the office, since that's the place where some of my other goals will come to fruition, and Dave deserves a clear space to create a clear mind.

2. My mom has rented a camp for a week this summer, and I'm ecstatic about it. Different family members will be there any given day, and we may or may not stay for numerous days -- but it's close enough to home so that one of us can stop in with laundry and to check on the cats. I am SO ready to get my Thoreau on!

3. Mom has mentioned that, while camping, she'd like to go up to the Adirondack Museum, which is a place that she and I would spend ALL of our time, if possible. I'm ecstatic to get Dave there (he's never been!) and that it's baby stroller friendly. There is SOOOOO much to see and do, and several buildings set up by theme (a building about occupations in the Adirondacks, another area on Native Americans, still another on boats...that sounds lame, but it's SO COOL!), PLUS if Hadman gets cranky, it's easy to shuffle him out to the pathways and picnicking areas.

The Eric Carle Museum is another "must" since we're looking to take a quick overnight trip to Massachusetts at some point. We're excited to go just to see the place and what it's all about (I mean...it's Eric Carle!!), but we're particularly stoked since they've got lots of Mo Willems activities and an exhibit of his artwork happening this summer. Considering he's our "family author/illustrator", it's a given. We. Must. Go.

Ah, and I didn't mention it here, but our local museum (I'm not sure if it's considered a cultural center or what...I know I do), Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute has an Andy Warhol exhibit all summer. Seriously, in Utica. While this one's mostly for Mommy and Daddy, I'd really like to see if Hadley has any reaction to the brightly-colored images and pop art. Heck, he goes NUTS for certain book illustrations. We shall see!

4. BO-RIIIIIING. But I'll probably blog about it if I do it. You lucky, lucky people.

5. Gotta stick my feet in some sand. It's been a LONG while. Plus, I know the PERFECT place to bring a little one. Can't wait to see how it goes and share!

6. I don't think we cracked the thing open once last year. (Dave says we did, but I'm not buying it.) And now that he's decided to try to find a CSA (that might, just might accept latecomers) it'll be awesome to have veggies to grill. And it isn't summer without a grilled pizza, folks.

7. Slowly, slowly, said the Sloth. That's my new nickname.

8. Not much to add.

9. We've got some buddies in Mass who are expecting, and still others that we just haven't caught up with. Honestly, we miss them, like, everyday. It's like being away from family. And, the last time we saw them was when Dave went out for a conference -- Hadley and I missed out! So, I've got withdrawal.

To top that off, I'm hoping to drag my guys further eastward (not all the way to Boston -- not this year, at least) to hit up my version of "the happiest place on Earth" -- Concord. *happy sigh*

13. Getting this underway already. I had a very random, very welcome invitation to have a girlie get-together with one of Dave's friends (which, strangely enough, is how I've earned myself some of the best friends...love that!) and a fire was lit. I'm not very social (those who knew me in high school may be shocked to hear that now), so I need to push my head out of my shell once in awhile.

14. Mentally. SOOOOO in need of this. Lots of self-analysis and figurin' life out. I don't expect to accomplish nirvana by the end of the summer, but y'know...a little every day. ;-)

15. A magazine. A book. The back of a cereal box. ANYTHING. I've got at least four stacks next to the bed. I don't have to read them all. Just one. Is that too much to ask?

16. Sounds nuts? Well, I've already started. I have at least three complete stories floating around in my head; just gotta put pen to paper. One is underway. The REAL challenge lies in the "now what?" once the story's written. Self-illustrate? Self-publish? What next?

19. This actually means that I want to get Hadley outside this summer. Currently, he's a tad leery of those sharp little blades of grass, even when wearing pants and sitting on a blanket. (I guess they pierce through. How dare they!) So, I'd like to get him over this, even if it's just heading outside and playing with it more, or playing ON it more. He will hold onto loose blades that I pick up for him and seems to enjoy it. I know this won't always be an issue, so I'm not obsessing about it. It'll just be nice to have a kid who enjoys nature.

So, that's generally what I've got in mind for summer vacation. I'm sure we'll do more than this; heck, we may do LESS than this. Either way, it'll all be about enjoying life as a family. So, even if you don't have a vacation (or if your vacation will only last a few days), what will you be doing to enjoy the summer? Any trips? Grilling? Naming your baby after a direction?

2 comments:

I love that you guys are going to the Eric Carle Museum!!! When I went a few years ago they had a Tomie de Paola traveling exhibit as well as original works by A. A. Milne! On top of everything else Eric Carle. It was amazing. And its adorable because its on the campus of Hampshire College in the middle of an apple orchard - can it get any more adorable?!

I'm sure you guys will love it! And I'm uber jealous that you get to see works by Mo Willems. He's definitely one of my favorite children's book author/illustrators.